Bison meat can seem unfamiliar to many of our new campers. Most haven’t experienced it and are curious to give it a try. Often, it only takes one time eating this delicious meat to make new people fans of the taste and texture.

Bison meat is higher in moisture than other common meats and fish. It’s higher in iron while being lower in fat and calories. The meat has a somewhat stronger, sweeter flavor than these other options.

Here, in our store, we offer a wide variety of Bison meat options. Some items you can expect to see are burgers, ribs, roasts, sausage, steaks, stew meat, and hot dogs. You can also pick up some recipe books, coffee mugs, and other items to take home for yourself or as gifts for your unfortunate friends who had to stay home this trip.

It’s fun to bring your pets along when you’re camping and they think it’s fantastic, too. They love the outdoors just as much as you do. It’s good for your mood, your health, and your sense of companionship. There are a couple of things to watch out for in making sure your pet has the best experience possible when visiting a new campground.

While pets can experience insect and food allergies, the most likely allergy you can experience when camping is environmental allergies. Your pet may be exposed to things at the campground that they don’t get exposed to in every day life at home such as grasses and pollens.

You may notice your pet sneezing more than normal or that might be licking their feet quite a bit. These are signs that something is affecting them. Fortunately, there are a few remedies you can try to get them back on track and feeling more comfortable again.

Benadryl is commonly used for pets and you should check with your Veterinarian to determine the proper dosage. This will help to alleviate the itching and sneezing, though it may make them sleepy – just as it does in humans. Wash and dry their paws thoroughly when you come in from the outdoors. Carefully check in between their foot pads to be sure nothing is lodged in them. This will assist your pet in removing the allergen and keeping the irritant outside instead of inside your camping vehicle.

If these simple strategies don’t help you may need something stronger, such as a prescription for you pet. Your Vet can advise you what is most likely to help, you may even want to visit your Vet before you leave for your camping trip. That way, you can have things on hand in case you need them.

We hope you and your pet have a wonderful stay with us and we look forward to meeting you soon.

As families get busier and life becomes more hurried we are finding the popularity of cabin camping just continues to rise. There are many advantages to a cabin rental, here at Shenandoah Hills Campground, and we think you’d love it! We have two types of cabins to choose from, each of them sleeping 4 people.

Rustic Cabins

These cabins measure 13 x 11 feet and are all in one room. They hold a double bed and a set of twin bunks. You’ll be out of the heat with a ceiling fan and an air conditioner to cool you off. They each have a water spigot on site, a picnic table, and fire ring with built-in cooking grill. They all have porches which are wonderful for relaxed times with family and friends. You bring all your own linens, food, utensils, and dishware. They are smoke-free for your added comfort.

Deluxe Cabin

This cabin is much like our Rustic Cabins but is larger at 12 x 20 feet. It includes a small bathroom with toilet, sink, and shower. You’ll also have the added convenience of a refrigerator and a microwave. There is a small closet for storage and you can opt to purchase this rental with a linen package of towels and sheets.

Cabin rentals work particularly well for new campers who’d like to experience our campground before committing to bringing all their equipment. Or, you might want to visit with friends or family who are camping with us but you don’t have your own camping equipment. A cabin rental takes much of the setting up out of the equation and you’ll be enjoying the campground within a short time of arriving. You don’t have to pitch tents or level RVs, you only need to unpack your necessities and you’re ready to play.

We’d love to see you enjoying one of our cabins this year whether it’s your first time or your tenth. Be sure to say hello because we’d love to meet you and learn more about you while you’re staying with us. You can find out more about our cabin rentals on this page. >> Shenandoah Hills Campground Cabin Rentals. We hope to see you soon.

We know you work hard and look forward to your vacation time here with us. That’s why we want to make sure you don’t forget the most important things you’ll need to make for a great camping experience.

We found a few camping checklists that are good for keeping track of what you’ve packed and what you still need before you get here. Check them out here:

These lists are great, but we think they are missing a few things. We think you’ll never regret bringing along:

Your Sense of Adventure
There is plenty to see and do while you’re here and it’s not all just for the kids. You just might enjoy jumping back on the ole bicycle and blazing a trail through the trees yourself. Letting loose of your inner explorer can expose you to things you haven’t tried. You’ll have great stories to tell back at the office and isn’t that what it’s all about? Making memories?

Your Fun Side
While you’re here it’s ok to act a fool. You can sing, dance, run, jump, cheat at a game of crazy eights, eat ice cream for breakfast, and just about any other thing you don’t get to do in your everyday life. Be a kid again. It’s ok. We love seeing it and your family will too.

Your Inner Chef
Go ahead and try that tinfoil packet recipe you’ve seen on Pinterest. Everything tastes better over the campfire. We love whiffing the yummy smells of our campers’ meals on the grill and we have seen some very creative combinations. Give it a try, and if you create something delish, let us know about it so we can try it too.

Your Let-it-Go
No, not from the movie “Frozen”. The kind of letting-go we are talking about is your work, your worries, and your frustrations. They’ll all be there when you get back home so, for now, leave them behind and let yourself just enjoy the moment, the day, or the week.

That should do it. If you bring these other highly important items with you, you’ll return home refreshed and ready to take on the world. We look forward to seeing you and watching you have the time of your life.

There is just nothing like the smell of breakfast being cooked in that family cast iron heirloom coming from your campsite. We never tire of waking up to those sights, sounds, and smells.

We’ve learned some great tips from our campers for keeping their cast iron in good shape and for traveling with it, undamaged at the end of a long trek.

It all boils down to a few simple things:

Don’t wash it with soap

Dry it really well

Re-season it once it’s dry

Store it dry and cushioned, if nesting pieces within each other

Your grandmother probably told you that soap is a sin when it comes to cast iron and she was pretty close to right. Most people simply wash their cast iron with hot water, while the pan is still warm, and a plastic scrubber. Soap will only strip the oily seal you worked so hard to create when you seasoned it the last time you used it.

Cast iron will rust. If it does, you can still save it by scrubbing it with salt but to avoid that just make sure it is very dry before you put it away. It’s also a good ideas not to store your pans with the lids on just in case they are still moist or are holding some humidity.

When your pan is clean and dry, re-season it with your favorite fat. The most popular choice used to be good old Crisco and it still works just fine. Others use olive oil though it can turn rancid if the pan is not used for a while. You can also use bacon grease, lard, or vegetable oil. They will all do the job beautifully.

If you nest your pans for storage, be sure to place something soft between each piece. It doesn’t have to be thick it just needs to protect one piece from scratching the other. Keep the lids off and you can pack them all in a ventilated box for travel.

We know you love your cast iron and we love watching the magic you perform with it so following these simple guidelines will keep them as good as new for many years to come.

You just never know what minor injuries or illnesses you and your family may incur while you are camping. It helps to bring a well-stocked first-aid kit with you to alleviate any of the bumps or bruises that appear as quickly as possible.

Some of the basics include are the following:

Bandages, gauze, gauze pads, tape:

You’ll need a box of bandages in all sizes. The water resistant type is your best choice, if available. You should also have two or three ace bandages for wrapping sprained wrists and ankles. Gauze pads for larger cuts and burns and gauze rolls to wrap them will keep things clean until you can get to a doctor, if the injury requires it.

Tweezers, scissors, nail clippers, sewing needles:

Lighting can be low on your campsite so choosing a pair of tweezers with an attached magnifying glass and light can come in very handy. With all the wood that gets handled while camping though, you can plan on a splinter or two so make sure you have tweezers of some kind in your kit. The other pieces; scissors, nail clippers, and a sewing needle will be used on people and on gear. You’ll be able to snip a hang nail or stitch a torn sleeping bag.

Medications:

You’ll need to have a combination of prescribed and over-the-counter. Make sure you have something for allergies, stomach upset, diarrhea, headache, coughing, sunburn, bug bites, toothache, and red eyes. Then be sure to pack your regular prescriptions and a small case with the days printed on it because it is surprisingly easy to forget what day it is while you are camping. One day can just seem to become another at times and you may lose track of your medication.

We hope your camping trip is accident-free but if you bring this kit along with you, we are sure you will save yourself some unpleasant experiences.
prescriptions, aspirin, sunscreen, diarrhea medicine, stomach medicine, bug bite lotion, cough drops, calamine lotion, orajel, tylenol, eyewash.

You’ll be burning lots of energy and that requires lots of snacks. If you are trying to watch the sugar and expense there are a lot of tasty treats you can make at home and bring with you. We found 25 recipes to get you started. You’re sure to find something that will please your crew.

This Chili-Corn Snack Mix is a spicy blend of high fiber cereal, almonds, corn nuts, some dried fruit, pretzel knots, spices and lime juice. With 3 grams of fiber per 1/2 cup serving it will satisfy your desire to crunch on something and has a zippy flavor to boot.

Crunch-Crunch-Crunch Mix. One of the ingredients in this blend is Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal which is known for its high fiber content. The rest of the mix is made up of dried cherries, some whole grain cereal and roasted nuts. It’s a very healthy mix. Each 1/2 cup serving has 3.3 grams of fiber and only 119 calories.

Spiced Glazed Nuts & Pretzels. These are sweetened with maple syrup and dark brown sugar. They are spiced with red pepper powder or chile and cinnamon. They are made up of assorted nuts, sea salt and pretzel twists. Just the right salty-sweet something when you want it. The grown ups will probably hide them from the kids and keep them for themselves.

Caramel Apple Popcorn. You’ll be flavoring your popcorn with vanilla, cinnamon, toffee bits, dried apple, nuts, and baking staples to create a new kind of popcorn the kids will go crazy for. It takes about 10 minutes to make and you’re ready to serve.

You can see all the recipes at the link below. If you have a favorite snack that you alway bring to camp we would love to hear about it.

There are lots of things to pack for your camping trip such as sleeping bags, bug spray, favorite foods, and your bathing suits but there are a few items you may not have thought of that should be on your must-have list.

Folding military type shovel. These are easily folded up and stored when not in use. They come in very handy when you are attempting to put your campfire out or want to move hot wood or coals. They are compact and inexpensive, one of those tools that really come in handy from time to time and if they have a built in hatchet it’s all the better.

Fire resistant gloves. You’re going to be around a lot of hot stuff at the campsite. Either the grill, a stove, or a campfire. Having a pair of these on hand will certainly save your fingers from getting burned. Keep and extra pair on hand in case one gets lost – as one glove typically does.

A headlamp. This hands-free lighting option comes in handy over and over while you are camping. Whether you are walking to the restroom at night or just wanting to read in the tent, a headlamp makes everything easier. You’ll have both hands free to hold the hands of your little ones or to work on whatever it is you are trying to do.

Extra batteries. Bring a variety of them. These days it seems most everything needs batteries and you don’t want to get caught short. Just grab a multi pack and be on your way. You’ll be glad you did.

A First Aid Kit. You can buy one pre-assembled or make your own but do bring one. At some point in your camping experience someone will need a bandage, an ice pack, an antihistamine, or a sliver removed so you may as well be prepared. Also, make sure to pack prescriptions for your family and your pets.

That should do it as far as the basics go. We hope your next camping trip is the best one ever.

We’ve seen lots of ideas for homemade firestarters from our campers and thought we’d share some of them here. Of course, crumpled newspaper is used most often but it can be unpredictable and sometimes flares up and dies out quickly. Some other, longer lasting possibilities are listed below:

Cardboard Squares

These can be made ahead of time and packed for your trip. Cut lots of 3 x 3 squares from a piece of sturdy cardboard. You can then dip them in wax and lay on paper towel to dry. These will last for a long time in storage and are handy for making a fire.

Cotton Pads

The circular cotton makeup removal pads are sold at most general stores. They can be dipped in wax and are a fast, economical way to set yourself up for plenty of healthy campfires the next time you go camping.Twisted Newspaper Sticks
Newspaper can be very effective if instead of crumpling it up for a fire starter, you twist it tightly into a stick. You can roll a sheet of newsprint tightly, fold it in half and roll again. The end result will be a condensed paper firestarter that will burn slow and hot to get your fire going.

Dryer lint

You can pack dryer lint inside toilet paper tubes to create a very handy firestarter. It helps to then roll it in waxed paper and twist the ends. You’ll get the slow burn you are seeking and it won’t really cost any money at all.

These are just a few, low cost ways to create your own firestarters for camping. We hope you have wonderful nights under the stars in front of a cozy campfire.

We’ve all heard the jokes about making sure your awning is in, your steps are up, and your spouse is on-board before driving away from the campground. There is truth in jest, however, and these things do happen. That’s why it is smart to make a departure checklist and run through it just like an airplane pilot does. We list a few items to get you thinking about what should be on your list.

Awning retracted and locked
All tires have proper air pressure
Leveling blocks securely stowed
Access doors are locked
Trailer door locked
Truck hitch secured
All lights are working
Water, propane, and fuel levels checked
Appliances turned off
Windows and blinds are secured
Cabinets are closed
No loose items around
Maps and snacks in the cab
Insurance, registration, pet health papers available
Seat and rear view mirror position check

Walk around one more time. Do you have all your chairs and BBQ equipment? Good, then you should be all set. We hope you enjoyed your stay at Shenandoah Hills Campground and we look forward to seeing you again soon.